Parts were ordered during a previous visit. There was no metal in the drain pan. It will rise somewhat with temperature. Because of heat transfer between the radiator and transmission fluid I would say you need to see about 94 C to get 90 C which is the reading recommended on the dipstick. I highly recommend replacing it as they too are a problem child as well clattering noises from internal broken parts inside it.
Pinion Gear in transfer case was damaged. Claimed that replacement was not aligned properly. The dipstick has the normal indicators for fluid level. The fluid should be checked with the transmission temp between 190deg F and 198deg F I think hot engine covers it running in park. Well, minimum maintenance cost isn't going to get you maximum life out of your car. Otherwise the car will die when idling. We bought this car with about 124,000 miles on it.
In order to check your transmission fluid level you will need to move the air inlet duct out of the way to access the dipstick which is down close to the drivers side wheel well. Couple other things of note, when you pull off the drain pan pull the pan magnet and clean it along with cleaning the inside of the drain pan. The fluid level should be, at a minimum at the top hole of the dipstick. You only get about four to four and a half, if you remove the drain plug or remove the pan to change the filter. Regards, Tony May 11, 2011 On transmission pan drain plug will have a small hex screw in the center of drain plug, with engine running and in park remove little center screw, if fluid comes out, transmission level is good, of no fluid come out, will have to pump fluid in that same little plug hole, till fluid starts to come out.
The dip stick is below the air filter housing. I pull the air cleaner cover off and move it out of the way to access. I was reading up on the temp levels just last night. I read on other forms that the pan filter seal will get weak and crack and when it's cold enough out it will cause a pressure problem in the trans which is why it throws the pressure code when it's cold out. You could add through the dipstick, but I wouldn't recommend it given the angle and location of the dipstick! Any way the 40 worked but got wedged as they do when they are to small, any way it got the job done.
Dealer performed transmission service and cleaned the solenoid. But if you don't own a scan tool and buying one would cancel out the savings of doing your own trans service. This puts the display into Engineering Mode. You must pump the fluid in through that hole. They are the only two chemicals I ever use on a vehicle,that I know ,not only work, but are necessary on some foreign trans. Putting it on the scanner showed only one code related to transmission solenoid. Dealer gave me a loaner for free.
Not worth it, junked car. Determined to be a faulty electronic control module. Computer reset, car is acting normally. Use Mercon V and a bottle or two of Red Lubegard on final refill. If you are on level ground and the transmission is properly warmed, you should fill the transmission until the fluid level is flush with the bottom of the hole starts spilling out Dec 28, 2009.
Get six quarts, just in case you need some of that sixth quart to get it up to the correct level. The fluid should be in the crosshatched area of the dipstick. The new one was just as hard to put in. . You don't know if it will take more or less than 5 quarts until you do it.
The car keeps acting out - at times it just won't go any direction, like the clutch is not engaging or something. . . Replace leaking axle seal on drivers side. Part is not replaceable as it comes as part of assembly. And I also want to add that if this fluid level was this critical then I would think I would have alot of freestyles going thru my shop with transmission concerns as soon as one sprung the smallest leak.
I think logic prevails here. Took about 1 hour after I figured how to get the console out. They tried changing just the mechatronic, found needed entire transmission. The top hole is full and the bottom hole is low. Coolant temperature will always be somewhat higher than transmission fluid temperature because of heat exchange principles. Problem disappears after car has been left sitting overnight, but the error intermittantly has reappeared now at least four times over the last three weeks.